Beloporozhsk HPPs were launched in Karelia
The official opening ceremony of two modern hydroelectric power plants took place in the Kemsky district. The Aide to the President of Russia Nikolai Patrushev, who had been supervising the project throughout the construction, took part in it. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak and the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov joined the launch ceremony of electricity generation at the hydroelectric power plant via teleconference from the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
On June 6, the opening ceremony of the Beloporozhsk hydroelectric power plants took place in Karelia. Two hydroelectric power plants with a total installed capacity of 49.8 MW were built and commissioned in May 2024. They will annually produce 230 million kW of electricity.
– During the construction process, we had to solve complex organizational, engineering and technical problems. Together, we managed to overcome all the faced problems and successfully complete the construction. During the project implementation, modern competencies were acquired, new technological solutions were developed, and unique domestic hydraulic power equipment was designed and installed, – said Nikolai Patrushev. – Under the conditions of sanctions restrictions, construction experience must be used in the Russian energy sector, on the rivers of Siberia and the Far East. Congratulations to all participants on successful completion of the Beloporozhsk HPPs construction!
Nikolai Patrushev, on behalf of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, was supervising the construction of the facility as the head of the State Commission for Preparation for the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Karelia throughout the entire period of work.
In honor of the significant event for the republic, a teleconference was established at the Beloporozhsk HPPs with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The command to launch power generation at the site was given by the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak together with the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov, the Director for Infrastructure Projects of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Anton Dan-Chin-Yu and the Chairman of PAO “Promsvyazbank” Petr Fradkov from the Northern capital.
– It is an important event both for the Republic of Karelia and for the entire Northwestern District and our country in terms of its energy system development. The capacity of the Beloporozhsk HPPs allows us to provide new consumers with energy resources. Besides, the region development and its potential for new economic entities establishment mean additional taxes and jobs, – said Alexander Novak.
The HPPs were built by the RDIF together with Promsvyazbank and the partners from China and the Middle East. The project was the first in the country to be financed by the allocation of resources by the New Development Bank, created by the BRICS countries. The hydroelectric power stations were built by the Karelian company “Karelstroymekhanizatsiya”. Due to the facilities commissioning, the republic increased its generating capacity, reduced energy shortages and dependence on imported fuels.
– It is difficult to overestimate the significance of today’s event for the economy of the Republic of Karelia, which needs new electricity capacity more than ever. We went through many difficulties and obstacles, but the project was realized by joint efforts. It is unique in terms of financial and technological components, – noted the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov. – Words of gratitude from all residents of the republic to the builders, power engineers, financiers and personally to Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev. You were the driving force of this complex project! Congratulations to all of us on this significant labor victory!
Let us remember that the construction of the HPPs started in 2016. During this time, more than 20 thousand cubic meters of concrete structures were erected, 800 tons of metal structures were mounted, whole hydromechanical equipment was installed, construction of 32 km of power lines and connections to networks were completed. In 2023, the stations operated in commissioning mode, about 4 million kW hours were generated for the builders’ own needs.
